Notes on a Rental

This week brought with it two firsts for me. The first time I ever had to drop a car off to get work done that would take more than a day to do and t he first time I ever had to rent a car. The two kind of go hand in hand, you see.

When I spoke to my insurance about getting my car fixed from my accident in June, they told me I could get a rental that was equal value to the car I currently drive (a Honda Civic Coupe). Figuring this would mean a similar small car I was QUITE surprised when my rental agent rolled up in a big ol' brand new Dodge Magnum and handed me the keys.

This pimp ride is comparable to my dinky Civic? Sacre Bleu!

It took me approximately 5 minutes to fall in love with this car , because it took me 5 minutes to get from t he rental place to the highway where to my delight I deduced that this baby was at least a V6 because unlike my Civic, I could easily get to 80 in what felt like seconds without having to turn off my AC and pray.

I know it is rude to speak ill of a loved one, especially when she is sick and in the hospital, but driving something with a little power really makes you feel POWERFUL.

However there are a few lessons I have learned.

Before you go shopping in a place that has a large parking lot like say, a mall. Be sure you know exactly what kind of car you have and maybe a distinguishing mark/part of the license plate. Lest you wander around the parking lot of the South Shore Plaza looking for your black Honda Civic before you remember you have a Silver Dodge for now, and then not even being able to find that. Although I did find a silver lining to that conundrum as a few different people followed me in their cars hoping I was headed to my car and would be able to provide them with a space. Little did they know I had no idea where I was going. Ha!

Secondly - if you rent a car that is bigger than the car you usually drive you may want to double check your parking. I carefully open my door to make sure I am within the white line. But then when I exit the car I realize the whole back of the car is hanging out into the aisle and there are like 3 feet in front of me to pull up. Awesome.

But when we're on the highway? I forget all about that.

My time with the Magnum, like all passionate flings, will come to an end. And I will go back to my Civic and she will be all pretty and new-like with an entirely new driver's side. But the seed has already been planted in my mind ( it didn't take much, right?) when the time is right, I am getting something with a little more "oomph".